Coffee has been around since at least the 9th century
First reports of the drink go back to 800AD Ethiopia. The story goes that herders noticed their goats 'dancing' after consuming the fruit of the coffea plant. This is thought to have prompted a local monk to make a drink from the plant, which subsequently kept him awake all night.
There are two main types of coffee
This might come as a surprise as we navigate the world of blends, roasts, cappuccinos and espressos. But, actually, the two main coffee types are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica tends to have a smoother, sweeter taste. Robusta is considered stronger and more bitter.
Brazil produces the most coffee
It produces 2,681 metric tonnes per year. It's followed by Vietnam, Columbia and Indonesia.
Dublin is the second most 'coffee obsessed' capital in the world
This is according to a recent Irish Times report which states there are 181 coffee shops per 100,000 people in Dublin, serving coffee with an average rating of 3.91 out of 5. Amsterdam took the top spot in the research carried out by BrewSmartly. Bern in Switzerland and Paris in France took joint third.
Famous coffee drinkers
- Beethoven - and he was pretty fussy about it. The musical maestro insisted on exactly 60 beans per cup.
- US President Teddy Roosevelt reputedly drank a gallon of coffee a day
- The author Margaret Atwood (The Handmaid's Tale) has her own coffee line, having partnered with Balzac's. She is quoted as saying her breakfast consists of coffee.
- Ariana Grande was asked by TIME Magazine if she likes, you guessed it, grande coffees. The singer replied that she's a fan of soy lattes. Sometimes grande.
